Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: May 19, 1999 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
51
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews
Positive:
15
Mixed:
15
Negative:
6
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
TV Guide MagazineMaitland McDonagh
It's a kiddie movie rejiggered for childish grown-ups, of whom there are enough to make it a hit. How such childishness has become a virtual secular religion is hard to imagine. Read full review
60
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Not at all bad for a toy commercial. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
What I mean is that to watch The Phantom Menace as a lifelong "Star Wars" fan is to engage in constant, fragile negotiations between a cherished familiarity and the shock of the new. Read full review
60
VarietyTodd McCarthy
Phantom is easily consumable eye candy, but it contains no nutrients for the heart or mind. Read full review
60
L.A. WeeklyGreg Burk
I warn you, I'm gonna continue whining about the movie. Just keep in mind that I liked it. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
The entire film is curiously soulless, with major characters making their entrances and exits (some of which are unexpectedly final) as if they were breezing in from some other screening next door. Read full review
50
SalonCharles Taylor
"Star Wars" fans deserve better. Read full review
50
Film.comSean Means
It earns an "Incomplete'' -- because we won't know the results until we see Lucas' next chapter.
50
San Francisco ChronicleBob Graham
In special effects, Lucas has moved a galaxy beyond. In energy, not yet. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesKenneth Turan
While the new film is certainly serviceable, it's noticeably lacking in warmth and humor, and though its visual strengths are real and considerable, from a dramatic point of view it's ponderous and plodding. Read full review
40
Washington PostRita Kempley
The Empire strikes out. Read full review
40
Film.comJohn Hartl
Story. Character. They used to mean something to George Lucas. Read full review
40
NewsweekDavid Ansen
All the state-of-the-art technology in the world is no help to an actor saddled with Lucas's tinny dialogue. Read full review
40
TNT RoughCutAndy Jones
Not only is it just a movie, it's just a ho-hum movie.
40
Washington PostDesson Thomson
It is likely to disappoint more people than creator George Lucas would have liked. Read full review
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